Leaving the Fleet Admiral's office, Roy's face returned to its usual playful smile. The sun fell, and the training ground was filled with heat waves. In the distance, the sound of shouts and clashing metal could be heard.
Just as everyone was training—
"Swish!"
An afterimage flashed by, dust flying, the very air in the center of the field seeming to be torn apart. The next second, Roy's figure instantly appeared in the center of the field, his arms spread wide, shouting dramatically, "You brats! Did you miss your big brother? Hahaha!!!"
Ace was in the middle of a martial arts spar with Luffy. Hearing the familiar voice, he snorted without turning his head. "Who missed you? Don't be so full of yourself."
Luffy, on the other hand, immediately gave up the fight and rushed over, shouting excitedly, "Big Brother Roy! Teach me a new martial arts technique! Grandpa always likes to hit me!"
Kuina, who was in a sword fight with Zoro, smiled faintly, casually grabbed the rushing Zoro, and nodded politely to Roy. "Vice Admiral Roy, welcome back."
Zoro, whose head was being held by Kuina, waved his two swords and struggled, shouting, "Hey! Let go of me! I want to challenge him!!"
On the other side, a 16-year-old Law, who had graduated from the training camp and been promoted to a Marine Commander, wearing a dark blue uniform with his sword at his side, walked over steadily and nodded slightly. "Vice Admiral Roy."
Roy grinned, his gaze sweeping over the vibrant group of youths. Suddenly, a mischievous thought flashed in his mind. "You brats, I'll give you a chance." He held up one finger and waved it provocatively. "Come at me together. If you can touch me, I'll treat you to a big meal."
The training ground was silent for a second, then—
"BOOM!!!"
A scorching flame erupted from under Ace's feet, and his entire body shot out like a rocket. "Fire Dash!!"
Roy's expression didn't change. He took a slight step, his figure swaying, and Ace's heavy punch hit empty air. "Too slow, Ace."
Before he could finish, the sound of something cutting through the air suddenly came from behind him. Luffy's Armament-wrapped legs swept over like a whip at high speed. "Tempest Kick: Whip!"
Without turning his head, Roy just gently raised his hand—"Smack!" "Don't be so impatient, little monkey." He precisely caught Luffy's ankle and casually threw him, and Luffy was sent flying like a sandbag. "Waaahhhh—!" Luffy tumbled in the air and crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Two-Sword Style: Hawk Wave!!" Zoro seized the opportunity, his two swords drawn at the same time, a sharp slash heading straight for Roy. He charged forward, his two swords like a splitting wind, their blades aiming straight for Roy's throat.
A glint appeared in Roy's eyes. He lightly tapped his foot, and his entire body vanished with a "swoosh." Zoro's slash only hit the air. "What?!" Zoro's pupils constricted.
"Behind you," Kuina keenly sensed Roy's position, and Wado Ichimonji drew a silver light.
"CLANG—!"
Roy blocked the slash with one elbow, his smile unwavering. "Good reaction, Kuina."
Law, on the other hand, was standing in the distance, calmly observing the battle. Suddenly, he raised his hand—"ROOM: Shambles!" A transparent spherical space instantly expanded.
A hint of admiration flashed in Roy's eyes. "Oh?"
Law didn't waste any time. He pointed a finger. "Switch!"
"Swish!"
Roy was instantly swapped with a giant rock, appearing between Ace and Zoro. Ace and Zoro, seeing this, charged almost in sync. Flames and sword light intertwined, coming at him from both sides. Armament-coated fists and two-sword-style slashes intertwined, heading straight for Roy.
"Too naive." His body was suddenly enveloped in black Armament Haki. The fists and slashes hit him but made a "clang, clang" sound like metal on metal. Ace's eyes widened. "How is he as hard as a steel plate?!"
Roy stomped his foot, his arms spread wide. "Teleport: Airquake!"
"BOOM!!!!"
A space-distorting shockwave erupted, accompanied by a series of "crack, crack" sounds of the air breaking. Ace, Zoro, Luffy, Kuina, and even Law at the edge of the ROOM were all sent flying by a huge force. "Waaahhhh—!"
Everyone landed in a pathetic heap. Roy stood on the spot, arms crossed, laughing loudly. "You brats, you still have a lot to learn."
Ace punched the ground and roared unwillingly, "You bastard!! I'll definitely hit you next time!!"
Luffy lay on the ground, clutching his stomach and wailing, "Ah—my big meal is gone!!"
Zoro sat up, the hand holding his sword trembling slightly, and he gritted his teeth. "Damn it, I almost got him..."
Kuina lay to the side, panting lightly, her eyes full of a fiery fighting spirit.
Law, on the other hand, silently stood up, patted the dust off his clothes, and said in a low voice, "As expected of a monstrous strength..."
Marineford, Roy's Residence, Courtyard, Evening
The firelight danced, and the smell of meat filled the air. In the courtyard, a lively barbecue was in full swing. Bell-mère had her sleeves rolled up, skillfully turning the meat skewers on the grill. The charcoal fire reddened her face but also warmed everyone's hearts. Nami and Nojiko were helping to set out the bowls, chopsticks, and juice, occasionally teasing each other, their laughter crisp.
"Wow!! Barbecue!!" Luffy's eyes had already turned into stars. He pounced towards the grill, his drool almost forming a small puddle on the ground.
Ace sat on a low stool, still mumbling as he chewed on a chicken leg. "Hmph, don't think treating us to a barbecue can make up for you sending us all flying just now."
Roy laughed and ruffled his hair. "Not convinced? Then get stronger." Ace rolled his eyes but didn't push his hand away.
Kuina sat quietly to the side, elegantly drinking her juice. She suddenly looked up and asked, "Vice Admiral Roy... your 'Teleport Fruit,' does it really not have any weaknesses?"
Roy paused for a moment, blinked, and lowered his voice mysteriously. "Of course it does, but—" he deliberately dragged out his words, glanced around at everyone, and seeing them all with their ears pricked up, their eyes wide, he suddenly burst out laughing. "I'm not telling you! Hahaha!"
"Tch—!!" Everyone booed in unison. Even Bell-mère couldn't help but laugh.
"Childish..." Law was silently cutting his barbecue, his expression as usual, but he suddenly spoke up. "One day, I will surpass you." His tone was calm but held an iron-like will.
Roy's gaze sharpened slightly. He looked at him for a few seconds, then his smile faded, and he nodded seriously. "Alright, I'll be waiting."
"Hey, it's ready!" Bell-mère brought over a large plate of fragrant meat skewers and interrupted the silence with a smile. "Hurry up and eat. You brats, you're always fighting and messing around as soon as you meet. Aren't you tired?"
"Vice Admiral Roy," Zoro suddenly spoke up, his tone calm but with a fighting spirit. "Next time, I won't lose." He stood to the side, eating meat alone, his two swords never leaving his side, his gaze firm and focused. Roy raised his glass to him and smiled without speaking.
The setting sun slanted into the courtyard, stretching everyone's shadows long. The courtyard was filled with laughter and cheers, and the afterglow of the setting sun fell on everyone, warm and bright.
At the same time, in the New World, deep within a deserted island, in a secret laboratory.
A strong wind swept over the deserted island. The outside of the shelter was covered in rust and vines, as if it were isolated from the world. The thick air was filled with the smell of chemicals and metal. In the dilapidated research institute, the experimental table was piled with unknown organs, test tubes, and fruit cores. A few twisted, failed experimental creatures were whimpering in a corner.
"Shurororo... another 0.03 ml... and another 0.01 unit of bone catalyst... ahahaha! The success rate has increased! This is the real..." Caesar Clown, wearing goggles, was so excited his face was twisted, his eyes bloodshot, a crazed smile on his lips, like a mad dog indulging in poison.
Just then—
"BANG!!"
The laboratory door was violently kicked open, and metal fragments flew everywhere. A thick smell of tobacco and sweat rushed into the laboratory.
Queen, twisting his fat body, strode in, a half-burnt cigar in his mouth, the word "annoyed" written all over his face. "Caesar! You madman, I've been looking for you for two days!" he grumbled. "Do you want to die on this stinking island?"
Caesar took off his goggles, his eyes bloodshot. "What are you shouting about? I just concocted a batch of improved artificial Zoan fruits."
"Do you know? If this batch can be mass-produced, I'll—"
"Alright, alright, you're at it again," Queen patted his shoulder. The next second, he took out a newspaper and casually threw it in Caesar's face. "Here, don't say I didn't warn you. Look at the news, my dear 'partner'~"
Caesar frowned and tore the newspaper off his face, glanced at it carelessly, but the next moment, his whole face froze.
"Wh-What? Impel Down?!" His hand trembled, and a test tube fell to the floor, splashing a pool of green corrosive liquid. "Mingo's been caught?! When? Why didn't I know?!"
Queen rolled his eyes and sighed. "When you're engrossed in your research, you wouldn't even know if the world ended."
"It's over, it's over, it's over... that research funding, the experimental fruits, the logistics, it was all under Mingo's name!!"
Queen lazily picked his ear. "What are you panicking about? Lord Kaido said that a madman like you is exactly what we need."
"You just have to bring your poisons and fruit research results and come to Wano Country with me. We'll take care of the funding, the site, and the security."
Caesar hesitated for a moment. "Wano Country? Are there enough experimental subjects?"
Queen grinned. "Besides Seastone, Wano Country has a lot of idiots. They don't even know how to resist. You can research however you want."
Caesar's eyes gradually brightened. He licked his lips and grinned. "Then I won't be polite, shurororo..."
Queen nodded in satisfaction and waved a large hand. "Let's go, don't waste time. Lord Kaido is about to make a big move. It's time to advance the plan of our 'Beast Pirates'."
At dusk, the two of them walked out of the dilapidated laboratory side-by-side. The firelight behind them illuminated the sign on the iron gate: [RESTRICTED AREA: UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL WILL BE KILLED ON SIGHT].
At the distant coast, a pirate transport ship disappeared into the thick fog, sailing away into the bloody sunset. Under the dark currents, a mad conspiracy was restarting.
-------
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